Trump signs order to double steel and aluminium tariffs to 50%, exempts UK
US President Donald Trump signed an order on Tuesday to double the steel and aluminium tariffs from 25% to 50%. The move by the Trump administration to hike tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which affects key inputs in everything from cars to canned foods, is the second increase since March.
Trump said the measures to increase tariffs on steel and aluminium imports would come into effect from Wednesday onwards and they are intended to secure the future of the American steel industry.
Meanwhile, the US announcement to double tariffs on steel and aluminium would exempt the United Kingdom, hours after the UK government said the two countries agreed on the need to implement a tariff relief deal as soon as possible.
President Trump just signed a proclamation raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by 50% to protect U.S. steel and national security.🇺🇸
THE GOLDEN AGE IS HERE! pic.twitter.com/TP32u0M4dR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 3, 2025
A UK government spokesperson said, 'The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors. We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% US tariffs on steel removed,' Reuters reported.
However, critics have said that the decision to levy 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium would wreak havoc on steel producers outside of the US, could trigger retaliation measures from trade partners, and the American metal users would eventually bear the cost of another trade jam.
According to the US government, America is the biggest importer of steel in the world, after the European Union. The United States procures its metal from Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Mexico among others.
During Trump's first tenure, the US had imposed a 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminium wherein the US president had cited a law that gives him the authority to protect industries considered vital to national security.
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